GlassCuts 17Issue dated 17.7.2012

For updates also visit our blog at www.britishglassfoundation.tumblr.comArchives of GlassCuts and the BGF Newsletter are held at www.britishglassfoundation.org.uk

Festivals, exhibitions, presentations, events, vases, recollections, interpretations, donationsand more besides, in a heady mix that is all either happening or about to happen in the Wonderful World of Glass. Phew, pause for breath ... now let’s get on with it …

IN THIS ISSUE

Crossing the pondPlug timeHagley Hall eventFriends indeedAllister’s Big Day just got biggerReflections in glassNews from the showsBuskin’ at RuskinMoney mattersFestival trade stands and classesAnd not a DeLorean in sightAttention all Glashionistas (all what?)Glass display at Red HouseAnd finally, from the naughty corner+++ STOP PRESS+++Dates for your diary

Crossing the pond

With the 2012 Portland Vase Project (reported GCs passim) nearing completion, it is entirely fitting that an acknowledged expert from the good ol’ US of A should be able to take a peek at what talents the Stourbridge Glass industry has to offer. Not that the expert in question, Dr David Whitehouse, isn’t already familiar with our little ways, because he is actually a local lad by birth. Now resident in America, David Whitehouse is Senior Scholar at the renowned Corning Glass Museum (NY) and is coming to Stourbridge as part of a stay to coincide with the International Festival of Glass. As a guest of 2012 Portland Vase Project Coordinator Ian Dury, David’s visit will include giving a presentation at Ruskin Glass Centre at 3pm on Friday 24th August. The subject will be Stourbridge Glass at the Corning Museum and, to use a hackneyed but nonetheless accurate expression, this really does sound like one not to be missed. Tickets priced £7.50 are obtainable from 2012 PV team-member Terri Colledge at Ruskin, 01384 399466.

Plug time

Now go easy on me, ‘cos we’ve all got to make a living, but I suppose I might as well mention here that Friday 24th August is also the scheduled day for the release of my latest modest tome The 2012 Portland Vase Project: Recreation of a Masterpiece. No prizes for guessing what that one’s about. Although I am inordinately chuffed that the aforementioned David Whitehouse has kindly contributed a Foreword for it, for which many thanks.

Hagley Hall event

The Big Day for this unique event is looming fast, and places are going just as quick. So get your tickets for 22nd August while you still have a chance. See Dates for your diary, below.

Friends indeed

Friends of Broadfield House Glass Museum have, via an insert in their rather delightful Cameo magazine, announced their latest social programme. Details also at www.friendsofbroadfieldhouse.co.uk

Allister’s Big Day just got bigger

We have received exciting news from our very own Allister Malcolm regarding his World’s Longest Glassmaking Demonstration (GCs passim)

‘Hi Graham. Here are some images of us making the preparatory piece for Jonathan Harris's guest appearance. Basically the gold leaf has to be worked into the surface of the glass during the blowing of the blank. A little nerve wracking, especially when you are aware of what this material costs. Hundreds of pounds-worth went on there courtesy of Gold Leaf Supplies, to whom many thanks for their sponsorship. The blanks have been taken to Jonathan, so the next time I see them will be the day before the event, after he has worked his wonders! With intricate imagery to be carved on them we will place them in a kiln and preheated over 7 hours they will be ready to pick up on a blowing iron. I shall

then rework the form during Jonathan's guest appearance. This two-hour demo is going to be exciting for me to say the least - keep your fingers crossed that it all goes well.’

We certainly will, Allister; good luck. A schedule for Allister’s Big Day can be found on the Blogspot at www.britishglassfoundation.org.uk

Reflections in glass

I reckon this will be noted by those in the know as a great success, with a small army of former workers coming together – for some, perhaps one last time – on Saturday 16th June to reminisce, share memories and show prized artifacts from the great days of Webb Corbett/Royal Doulton before it became the Ruskin Glass Centre. On hand was a team torecord, interview and otherwise capture the moments for posterity as part of an interpretation project that is approaching completion. Full details to follow in due course, but my personal thanks to all at Ruskin for their kind invitation to be part of what will prove to be a hugely significant day in the ongoing development of the centre.

News from the shows

As mentioned in GCs passim, I was pleased to be able to attend not one but two shows, Kinver Fayre andD&KRFC’s annual show respectively, on successive weekends in late June. Apart from the fact that it tipped down with rain at both (although that didn’t seem to bother the crowds too much) there were a number of other common threads also. Concerns over Broadfield House, interest in the possible new museum, fascination with the Portland Vase - I can assure you, dear reader, that on the strength of the conversations my colleagues and I had with these good folk, interest in Stourbridge Glass has probably not been much higher for many a year.Particularly impressive was the number of youngsters taking a genuine interest in their glass heritage, and the look of sheer pleasure when they felt for themselves the difference between cheap glass and the real deal, courtesy of nothing more complicated that the much-travelled BH glass-handling kit. Y’know, if we all pull together on this one, I reckon we could crack it.

Buskin’ at Ruskin

On Thursday 21st June an informal but informative evening was heartily enjoyed by the fiftyor so enthusiasts from across the Stourbridge Glass Quarter who came to Ruskin Glass Centre at the invite of Ian Dury and the 2012 Portland Vase Team for wine, nibbles and a progress update. Modesty prevents me saying who the speaker was – oh, alright, it was I –but my role was purely ancillary in showcasing the team and their efforts. In a nutshell, it’s all over bar the shouting, as they say around these parts.

There is still some work to do on the base disc and the novel Olympic Vase, and a teeny bit of the Portland Vase – probably no more than a few minutes’ work –has been deliberately left in the event that somebody off the tellie might wish to film the ‘official’ completion. Ian is working on that one; it would be a real coup if he could pull it off with the TV companies.

In the meantime, everything seems on target for the Grand Launch of what has got to be the most significant achievement in Stourbridge Glass – or anywhere else for that matter – in yonks.

Almost certainly aware that they were witnessing history, the crowd applauded Ian and the team mightily before then devouring what seemed to be an awesome amount of cheese, courtesy of Chris and Leigh at Ruskin. A great night.

Money matters

We are grateful to the Trustees of the Golsoncott Foundation for their kind donation to the British Glass Foundation. Thanks also go to our colleague Mark Ashbourne for his assistance in guiding this one through.

The Golsoncott Foundation was established as a Charitable Trust in July 1998 from the estate of the artist and sculptor Rachel Reckitt (1908-1995). An arts-funding trust, its declared aim is to promote, maintain, improve and advance the education of the public in the arts generally and in particular … the fine arts and music. www.golsoncott.org.uk

Please note: In recognizing donors and acknowledging their support, GlassCuts generally will not reveal either the details of the donor or the amount donated unless the donor indicates otherwise or the circumstances are in the public domain or public interest. This does not preclude the possibility of details, including the amount donated and/or the donor’s particulars, appearing elsewhere in BGF material.

Festival trade stands and classes

Sue Parry, Trade Stand Coordinator for the International Festival of Glass, would like it to beknown far and wide that she is now accepting applications for stands at this year’s event. Contact her at Ruskin Glass Centre or via tradestands@ifg.org.uk for an application form.

Jaqueline Cooley has also asked us to advise you that the Masterclasses (featured in GC 15)are quickly selling out, but there are still a few opportunities left to learn a new skill or sharpen up your existing ones. Further details on these classes and all other events at the International Festival of Glass will be found at www.ifg.org.uk or, for a direct link to the Masterclasses, visit www.ifg.org.uk/all-classes.html

And not a DeLorean in sight

Still with Jaqueline Cooley, who has kindly sent in this news of a major exhibition.

Back to the Future: Contemporary West Midlands Glass Artists Celebrate 400 Hundred Years of Stourbridge Glass.

Broadfield House Glass Museum, with the support of Interiors & Lifestyle Futures and The Friends of Broadfield House Glass Museum, are holding this eventto celebrate the 400th anniversary of glassmaking in the area and the International Festival of Glass 2012.

The exhibition seeks to explore the world-renowned glass collections and archives in Dudley Borough and show how inspiring these are to contemporary local glassmakers and designers. Artists selected for the exhibition: Charlotte Hughes Martin, Frans Wessleman, Jaqueline Cooley, Paul Floyd, Sue Dawes, George Jackson, Sheila Howie, Simon Eccles, Gary Grosvenor, Darren Weed, Sarah Jones, Georgia Redpath, Jo Newman, Nancy Sutcliffe, Amanda Lawrence and Jan Studerus, Robyn Smith, Vic Bamforth, Keith Cummings, Allister Malcolm, Sue Purser Hope, Keith Brocklehurst and Max Stewart.

It runs from 18th August 2012 to 27th January 2013.Artist: Nancy SutcliffePhotography: Simon Bruntnell

Attention all Glashionistas (all what?)

This call for entries comes from Co-Director of IFoG, Natasha George …

Submissions for Glasshionistas wearable glass art show are now being accepted for 2012. The International Festival of Glass 2012 is all set to take place at the Ruskin Glass Centre, on the August Bank Holiday weekend. This year’s Festival Finale will take place on the evening of Monday 27th August and will be a shimmering vision of spectacle and sparkle. Artists,aged 16 and over, are invited to parade, prance and dance about in their very own wearable glass creations.

Applicants can be any gender and any size, but should be aged 16 or over. All artists/designers interested in being considered should do so by 1st August as space may be limited. For more information contact Robyn Smith at finale@ifg.org.uk

Glass display at Red House

We have been featuring this since GC 13, but have received an update from Sandra Snaddon (www.snaddon.com/glass) Fellow & Chairman, Guild of Glass Engravers, regarding the collection of British engraved glass commissioned by the Trust for use at Downing Street. It is reproduced here in abridged form …

The Trustees of the Glass Engraving Trust commissioned this collection to promote the work produced by modern British glass engravers for use at official functions at Downing Street in parallel with the collection of modern British silver there.

The collection totals 42 pieces in the form of tumblers, carafes and jugs, the glass being British made by Dartington Crystal with the subjects engraved displaying Britain’s architectural heritage. The glass has all been engraved by members of the Guild of Glass Engravers.

This display of the collection is the first time that it has been seen in public before it is officially handed over by the Trustees of the Glass Engraving Trust to Downing Street after the exhibition closes in October.

By Sandra Snaddon

The exhibition takes place at the Red House Glass Cone, Wordsley between 13th August and 6th October 2012 as part of The Guild of Glass Engravers 2012 National Exhibition.

And finally, from the naughty corner

Congratulations to those who spotted last GC’s deliberate mistake when I referred to Here Comes Summer. Buddy Holly indeed! It was, of course, a huge duo hit for Dame Vera Lynnand Ozzy Osbourne. Or even Jerry Keller. Oh, the shame.

+++ STOP PRESS +++ +++ STOP PRESS +++ +++ STOP PRESS +++

Just as we were about to hit the ‘send’ button, I happened to find myself in Broadfield House Glass Museum. Who should I see sitting in his old place but Roger Dodsworth, back on what he describes as a ‘phased return to work’ following his recent illness. I’m not sure if he’s ready to go ten rounds with Tyson yet, but he’s getting there. Welcome back, Roger.

Dates for your diary

Monthly, from now to September 2012 inclusiveJewels on the Cut A guided towpath walk along the Town Arm of the Stourbridge Canal examining the local glass facilities, and other works, from the perspective of the waterway that served them.www.dudley.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/museums-galleries/glass-museum/whats-on/jewels-on-the-cut-canal-walks

Until 5th August 2012Broadfield HouseBlood and bones, an exhibition by Patricia Niemann (featured GC9)www.friendsofbroadfieldhouse.co.uk

13th August – 6th October 2012 21st Century Engraved Glass: Exhibition by the Guild of Glass Engravers (featured GC13)Red House Glass Cone admission freewww.gge.org.uk

18th August - 27th January 2013Back to the Future: Contemporary West Midlands Glass Artists Celebrate 400 Hundred Years of Stourbridge Glass (see And not a DeLorean in sight, above)Broadfield House Glass Museumwww.friendsofbroadfieldhouse.co.uk / www.dudley.gov.uk/glassmuseum

22nd August - 15th SeptemberRuskin CentreMedallions Exhibition, organized by Contemporary Glass Society (featured GC15)www.cgs.org.uk

20th - 23rd August inclusiveVarious Masterclasses (featured GC15, and this issue)Contact Jacqueline Cooley, Masterclass Coordinator, for detailsmasterclasses@ifg.org.uk

22nd August 2012 Hagley HallAs featured in GlassCuts 11 special edition, an afternoon of erudition featuring BGF Trustee Charles Hajdamach. Joining Charles on stage will be Dr Paul Roberts of the British Museum, who will speak on The Portland Vase and cameo glass from the ancient world. Charles will complement this with the story of Stourbridge cameo from 1845 to present. Tickets £38 to include canapés and your chance to see at first hand the 2012 Portland Vase and Auldjo Jug. This event is generously supported by the Glass Association and Friends of Broadfield House.

You are advised to book now to avoid disappointment. Bookings strictly via application form on website, please. www.britishglassfoundation.org.uk

24th August 2012International Glass Symposium: Architecture and the Artistry of GlassSchool of Art and Design, University of Wolverhampton£130. Student £65www.wlv.ac.uk/artanddesign/glassbiennaleContact: Dr Max Stewart max.stewart@wlv.ac.uk

24th August 2012 (featured above)Ruskin Glass Centre, AmblecoteStourbridge Glass at the Corning Museum, David Whitehouse PhDCommences 3pm. Tickets £7.50 from Terri Colledge at Ruskin, 01384 399466David Whitehouse is Senior Scholar at Corning Museum (NY) and is presenting this lecture as part of a visit to the area during the period of International Festival of Glass.

24th August - 15th September 2012British Glass Biennale Part of the International Festival of Glass.www.biennale.org.ukFacebook: 'International Festival of Glass 2012'Twitter: @GlassBiennale

25th and 26th August 2012.Stourbridge 9th Annual Bead Fair www.stourbridgebeadfair.co.uk

27th August 2012 Celebrate Glass event www.stourbridgebeadfair.co.uk

28th August 2012Broadfield HouseWorld’s Longest Glassmaking DemonstrationAllister Malcolm, friends and associateswww.ifg.org.uk / http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/allistermalcolm

23rd September 2012Cambridge Glass Fairwww.friendsofbroadfieldhouse.co.uk

11th November 2012National Glass Fairwww.friendsofbroadfieldhouse.co.uk

More soon, good friends. In the meantime, Keep it Glass.

Graham FisherPress & Publicity,pp British Glass Foundationwww.britishglassfoundation.org.uk

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